Los Túneles Tour – The Underwater Wonderland of Isabela Island
The Los Túneles tour is considered one of the most extraordinary snorkeling experiences in the entire Galápagos archipelago. Located on the southwest coast of Isabela Island, Los Túneles (also known as Cabo Rosa) is a surreal network of lava bridges, volcanic arches and underwater tunnels that formed when ancient lava flows met the sea. The result is a maze of crystal-clear channels teeming with marine life found nowhere else on the planet.
What makes Los Túneles so special?
Unlike any other snorkeling site in the Galápagos, Los Túneles combines surface exploration of spectacular lava formations with underwater encounters in calm, shallow channels. The turquoise water inside the tunnels is so clear that you can see every detail of the volcanic rock beneath your fins. Seahorses cling to the mangrove roots; the Galápagos is one of the few places in the world where wild seahorses can be found in open sea. Blue-footed boobies nest on the lava platforms just a few meters from where you snorkel, diving spectacularly into the water around you.
Wildlife you will find at Los Túneles
- Galápagos seahorses — clinging to the mangroves in the shallow channels
- White-tip reef sharks — resting in the shallow, sandy water beneath the arches
- Pacific green sea turtles — passing and swimming through the tunnels
- Eagle rays — gliding silently through the open-water channels
- Marine iguanas — sunbathing on the black lava formations
- Blue-footed boobies — nesting and diving right above the water
- Galápagos penguins — occasionally spotted along the rocky coast
- Flightless cormorants — unique to western Isabela, drying their wings on the lava
Tour itinerary
The tour departs from the Puerto Villamil pier and follows Isabela’s impressive coastline in a motorboat (panga) for approximately 45 to 60 minutes. On the way, your certified naturalist guide will point out marine wildlife, including possible sightings of manta rays and dolphins at the surface. Upon arriving at Los Túneles, you will have approximately 2 to 3 hours to explore the site: snorkel in the volcanic channels, walk over the lava bridges and watch the nesting birds. Your guide will take you to the best spots to see seahorses and will help you navigate the tunnel system safely. The return trip to Puerto Villamil follows the same route.
What’s included
- Round-trip panga transportation from Puerto Villamil
- Certified bilingual naturalist guide (certified by the Galápagos National Park)
- Snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, wetsuit)
- Life jackets
- Drinking water and a snack
- Galápagos National Park entrance fees
Practical information
Duration: approximately 5-6 hours in total. Departures: 7:00 am and 1:00 pm every day from the Puerto Villamil pier. Difficulty: moderate; you must know how to swim. No diving certification is needed. Best season: year-round. From June to November the water is cooler and clearer, with greater diversity of marine life.
Frequently asked questions
Is snorkeling at Los Túneles suitable for beginners? Yes, the tunnels have calm, protected water that is ideal for beginners. Wetsuits are provided and the water temperature is pleasant all year (20–26 °C). You only need to know how to swim. Will I definitely see seahorses? Los Túneles is one of the most reliable places in the world to see wild seahorses. Sightings are very frequent, although wildlife encounters always depend on natural conditions. Your guide knows exactly where to look. How do I get to Puerto Villamil from Santa Cruz? The speedboat ride from Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) to Isabela takes approximately 2 hours. Galaapp can arrange the ferry tickets as part of your package to Isabela.
